Rowardennan Hotel

About Rowardennan Hotel

Rowardennan is where the eastern shore road stops and the West Highland Way continues on foot, and the hotel sits at that transition point with the loch in front and Ben Lomond directly behind. For walkers this is one of the most useful addresses on the whole loch: the main path to the summit of Ben Lomond starts from the car park a few minutes away, and the Way runs past the door towards Inversnaid.

There are 24 bedrooms in double, twin and triple configurations, many with views over the loch or up towards the mountain, plus four lodges available for short and longer stays. Dogs are welcome throughout, which matters on a route where a lot of walkers travel with one. The bar and restaurant serve residents and passing walkers, and in summer the beer garden by the water is hard to beat.

The trade-off is isolation. The nearest shop and additional pubs are at Balmaha, about seven miles back down a narrow road, and mobile signal is patchy. That is precisely the appeal for many guests: once the day visitors have gone, the eastern shore is very quiet indeed. Book well ahead in walking season, as the hotel absorbs a good share of West Highland Way traffic.